The changes keep coming as the Minnesota Vikings are now working on changes to their coaching staff. Head coach Kevin O’Connell made some changes at the end of the year that will allow for new position coaches to arrive, while also retaining defensive coordinator Brian Flores.
NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport shared this morning that the team was hiring coaches Frank Smith, Keith Carter, Gerald Alexander, and Ryan Nielsen as part of their changes.
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On the offensive side of things, Frank Smith will become the team’s assistant head coach. He previously coached with the Miami Dolphins as their offensive coordinator from 2022 to 2025. Keith Carter was with the Vikings last season as the assistant offensive line coach, but he is now promoted to the role of the primary offensive line coach, replacing Chris Kuper.
As for the defense, Gerald Alexander comes over from the Pittsburgh Steelers to be the team’s defensive backs coach and defensive pass game coordinator. He replaces Daronte Jones, who left that role to become the defensive coordinator with the Washington Commanders. Ryan Nielsen joins as the defensive line coach and defensive run game coordinator after being with the Buffalo Bils in 2025.
This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: Vikings add to their coaching staff for the 2026 season
